Anthropologie Review: Gabiru D'Orsays

Just a quick review of these beautiful shoes from Anthropologie. I ordered 2 pairs and strangely they are quite different in color. I think one is sort of a "mistake" but still quite beautiful.

Gabiru D'Orsays (size 7)

 First of all, these shoes are gorgeous! The leather looks like liquid metal but I wouldn't exactly call it a patent. It's not stiff like that. The footbed is actually well padded which I think will add significantly to their comfort. So here's the weird thing. Look at the picture on the right. Doesn't the shoe on the left look sort of bronzey gold???? Well it is but they are both supposed to be silver. Also, the gold-ish pair fits a little big. You can actually see it in the picture - the toe bed is a little longer.

 Here are the silver ones. I think they fit exactly right. They feel *slightly* snug but the leather seems to be the kind that will give to your fit within a wear or two.

 Here are the gold ones. My right foot is a half size bigger so that one fits better but you can see they look *slightly* long. FYI I sized down a half size in both pairs because with open toed shoes I find this is often the case if you want them to fit well and not keep flopping off your heels.

 Here's gold on the left and silver on the right (I know, it's impossible to see in this cruddy lighting)

 Again, still hard to see.

 A little clearer.

Boom. There it is.

So the question is - which color looks better? I usually gravitate towards gold because I love it and think it looks good and warm and flattering on people's skin tone but this shade of gold is a bit dirty looking. Plus I think the silver fits better but it's hard to tell until I actually wear them for a day. I would hate it if they didn't give a little and then I felt like they were too tight.

Help! Any opinions are greatly appreciated :)

J. Crew Review: A New Arrival and Some Sale

It's nice to see some fall clothes in store but I can't even bring myself to try them on! We've really hit the hot and humid part of the summer and my main motivation for going shopping is really just to stay cool. I can't believe the 50% off just keeps rolling along, but I am finding that there's less to get excited about in the sale section. I did pick up the Eyelet Shirtdress in White because I've been eyeing it forever as a nice post-preg dress (plus I love white in summer) and I think it came out to about $21! Here are a few things I motivated to try on during my latest visit.

Merino Wool V-Neck Cardigan (XS) in Vintage Cabernet

 I love a good wine colored sweater. Something about that color feels so luxurious and it just screams fall. It's very cute and soft and I like that they are trying to do a different silhouette. Fits pretty TTS. I personally like a little more length in my cardigans but I could see picking up a few of these on sale.

 Vintage Terry Sweatshirt (XS) in Warm Indigo

 Damn J Crew does a good casual sweatshirt. The XS was fairly fitted but I think that's mostly because my baby body has exploded as of late. The warm indigo color is really pretty and flattering and I like that this sweatshirt is pretty long. Adorable and $39.99 in store so pretty affordable.

 Linen High-Low Hem Sweater (XXS) in Marled Indigo

 I LOVE J. Crew linen sweaters. I always end up buying one every season. The XXS was quite snug, especially in the arms, but they do tend to stretch out. Reading the reviews, it seems a lot of people sized down but I think that depends on how you want it to fit. This navy color is absolutely perfect and I may have to add it to my collection.

 Linen High-Low Hem Sweater in Garment Dye (XS) in Wet Stone

 This is the XS which felt way more comfortable but that's also probably because I'm carrying about an extra 15 pounds right now (and it's all in that middle section). This color does not seem to be selling that well but I really liked it. I like the "baseball" type shoulder seams. I think they are flatering and slimming. The extra butt coverage is always appreciated.

 Linen High-Low Hem Sweater (XS) in White

Same sweater in white. Love. I have a lightweight summer sweater that is white from Madewell so I passed but it was quite tempting. I think after 50% and teacher discount is would have some to around $21.

Well, I'm doing my best to keep on trying on some clothes although clearly it is getting a bit tough. 9 1/2 weeks to go! I did purchase some shoes and will try to review them this week. At least I know the shoes will fit before and after :)

J. Crew Review: A Downtown field, a Barbour Jacket and a Scoopneck Tee in Stripe

Where did July go? I can't believe summer is basically half over. It's my favorite season and I just want it to last forever!
We recently got back from vacation at a dude ranch in Wyoming - with my husband's entire family - all 19 of them. Whew. I have 2 sisters but they are much older than I am so I basically grew up as an only child. Being around that many people for a week is a lot... especially when super preggo... and at a higher elevation. Luckily my little (now) 5 year old had a great time playing around and trying to keep up with her older cousins while mama hobbled around and tried to stay cool. The horses were so adorable and I was sad not to be able to ride at all but I got quite a kick out of seeing my little cowgirl up there.
Anyway, upon our return we hosted a big birthday party for our daughter - complete with bouncy house and face paint :) That's the first and probably last time we will do that but it was a blast. Now I need about another week to recover from all the festivities.
Here are a few things I managed to squeeze myself into recently:

Downtown Field jacket in Navy (XS)

I need this jacket like I need a hole in the head but I've always wanted one so I just went for it. Good thing too because it's now mysteriously back to full price. I'm trying to justify it by saying that my other jackets of this style are in an army green color. It's just so spot on - I don't think it's going to keep you super warm or anything but it's a great layer. I did try on an XXS once but it was too tight. I prefer the XS for some room to layer.

A parting shot. Clearly I can't zip it right now but it would look great that way too. J Crew got this one right.

 Barbour Flyweight Cavalry Jacket (size 4)

I used to pass the Barbour store on the UES of Manhattan on my way to work every day. I like their stuff - very preppy but cute and well done. I got this with the 40% off but it's impossible to tell if it will fit post baby. It's very lightweight and I'd say these pictures represent the color fairly well. I like the dip in the hem in the back and the elastic band there. It gives a nice, fitted, sleek silhouette. There are snaps AND a zipper which I also love. I'd probably prefer this in a more neutral color though. I did size up according to reviews and this was the right decision. I'd say if you wanted to layer you might even want to go 2 sizes up.

Vintage Cotton Scoopneck Tee in Stripe (size S)

I often size up in the Vintage Cotton tees because I don't want anything too clingy AND see through. This is a cute tee and I like the neckline. It looks a little off in the pic because my boobs are HUGE right now. Anyhoo, I think you could go with your normal size or size up. The good thing about going up a size is that you can always shrink it in the dryer later. Definitely will be a go to when things return to *ahem* normal.

I think I may be shopped out, which is a good thing considering nothing really fits right now anyway. Looking forward to some fall offerings. What did you buy during the 50% off??

J. Crew Factory Review: Printed Pull-On Short, Stripe Bateau Top, Airspun Boyfriend Sweater

Okay, you know what's weird? I uploaded the pictures for this post yesterday and then sat down to write it today and as I was scrolling down I thought, "God, why is my stomach sticking out so much?" I don't know how it's possible but I definitely have "pregnesia" - moments of forgetting I'm pregnant. Ironic considering I feel like I'm going to burst open at any moment and I have some weird ligament thing going on in my left inner thigh. Anyway, just had to chuckle at myself. Yup, still pregnant.

Factory Printed Pull-On Short (Punk Floral) size 2

I'm a little obsessed with these shorts. They are super duper awesome pregnancy wear that does not make me feel gross and dumpy and I'm hoping I'll love them as much when I am back to normal. The print is pretty bright but I don't mind it with a nice neutral top. I've already worn my other pair a ton - super comfy and since my legs don't look pregnant, I like to still show them :)

 Factory Stripe Bateau Top (XS) in Navy/White

Sucka for stripes. This is a great little top - TTS, good sleeve length (3/4), good body length and nice open neckline. It is SLIGHTLY see through. I had a floral bra on and I could definitely detect it through the white stripes. Nonetheless, very comfortable and cute if you don't own a striped little bateau top. I, of course, own like 6 so I passed.

Factory Swoop Top in Punk Floral (XS)

This was hanging out sadly on the clearance rack - I think it would have come to about $14 or something insane. It's cute enough but I really only like it for the back. I think the back is amazing while still being able to pull off a bra. The front however is meh. The high neckline with the pleating is not good for me. I actually went back and checked on my review of the original retail version of this top and found that I felt the same. The polyester also made me pass.

 Factory Airspun Boyfriend Sweater (XS) in Emerald Pool

I love the material on this one - feels sort of funky but very lightweight and comfortable as a layer for summer. The color is quite eyecatching as well. It does seem to run quite big and that vee is WAY low. Beware the dreaded drop shoulder. Size down.

That's all for now. I may actually be shopped out. I did grab 2 pairs of shoes at J Crew on sale that I love. Will try to get reviews of them up soon.

What have you scooped up at 50% off?

J Crew Review: Some summer sale

The 50% off has held on for a surprisingly long time, and even I am not immune to its charms. As I get bigger, I'm tiring of trying to guess what size I'll be after baby girl comes along but when prices get this low it is hard to resist. My biggest score has been the Lightweight Merino Tunic Sweater for $8.50. I always liked this sweater but decided against it since I have a lot of blue sweaters. At $8.50 resistance was futile. Plus I like the slightly longer, butt-covering length option until everything goes back to "normal". Here are a few other sale section finds:

 Linen V-Neck Sweater in Yarn Dye (XS) in Sandy Reef

I have been living in my linen sweater from last year, even while pregnant. It's such a great layer to throw on in A/C and the color is gorgeous. I think you could definitely go down a size with this iteration. My one complaint is the drop shoulders. They make me feel a little linebacker-y. Still, overall, love J Crew linen sweaters.

 Classic Merino Long Cardigan (XXS) in Vibrant Flame

I wish they'd return to the Eden Cardigan. That was the perfect length on me. The classic long cardigan always feels a little too long. The XXS was definitely snug but it stretched plenty so if you want a very streamlined look you may want to size down.

 Classic Merino Long Cardigan (XS) in Brilliant Purple

This is the XS which also fits fine with a little more breathing room. I actually like my cardigans to be fairly tight in the arms because I think it's more flattering but I have found that this cardigan shrinks a lot after dry cleaning.

 Linen V-Neck Sweater in Yarn Dye (XXS) in Pesto

Here's the same sweater as the first one but in a smaller size, which, if I was non-pregnant, I would prefer. The color looks dull in the photos but it's actually quite attractive in real life.

 Lightweight Merino Scalloped Sweater (XS) in Heather Dusk

They had a bunch of these on the rack so I decided to finally give it a whirl. The XS is SOOO big. I don't think the XXS would even be small enough. I know it's supposed to be loose and flowy but it just looks sort of crazy and the vee comes down way too low. This color in particular was a bit blah.

It is fun to poke through the racks to see if there have been any interesting returns or something I've missed before. I also find it a bit shocking that most of the sale stuff hasn't been reduced in price at all. 50% doesn't make a different if something's been priced at $59.99 for 3 months.

Have you had any great bargain finds in the sale section?

J. Crew Factory Review: Long-Sleeve Stripe Tee Dress and Intarsia Stripe Anchor Crewneck Sweater

Since there will most likely be a lot of % off sale this weekend, I'm going to try to get a bunch of old posts up. We have had the most glorious summer here so far in the Northeast and then woah... this week has been H-O-T. I normally don't mind hot so much, but with the bun in the oven I am melting like the wicked witch. Thus, excuse the to-the-point reviews but that's about all I have in me right now!

Factory Long-Sleeve Stripe Tee Dress (XS)

I reviewed this before but decided to try it again because it was 40% off and came to something insane like $16. After all that I decided it barely looked like a glorified nightgown and while it's comfortable, just isn't anything special. Plus the material is quite thin. I think the navy stripe would be cuter and less Wee Willie Winkie.

Factory Intarsia Stripe Anchor Crewneck Sweater (XS)

I always regretted not getting the retail cashmere version of this and this sweater makes me still regret that. The cotton feels cheap to me and while I think it's cute enough it's not exactly doing me any favors in the boob/bump department.

 Factory Intarsia Stripe Anchor Crewneck Sweater (S)

The small was definitely a better fit but still sort of harsh. All the colors seem stark or garish or something. I would love to have seen it done in more of a subtle way.

I have a bunch more coming and will try to get them up over the course of the next week!